Citizens: The Practice of Human rights

Where did the concept of Human rights officially emerge from?

• Post WWII, during the Nuremberg Trials

• A need for an international instruments where all people are seen as people not just members of a state

Where are the different instruments to define and protect Human rights?

1. Covenants (legally binding)

2. Declarations (The wants)

What are the International Human Rights instruments

1. UN Declaration of Human Rights (1948)

2. UN Covenants on:

   1. Civil and Political Rights (1966)

   2. Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (1966)

3. UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (1989)

What does the UN Declaration of Human Rights set to protect?

• Non-discriminations Clause

• Basic Rights “Life, Liberty, and security of a person.” (Locke)

• Negative Freedom

• Positive Freedom

What does the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child protect? (1989)

• The rights of children and there are right unique to children

  • e.g. The Right to Have a name, The Right to play, etc.

• Mist ratifies convention in the world

What country has not ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child?

The United States of America

What is pushing Human Rights Violations today?

1. Rise in Authoritarianism and Anti-Globalism

2. Climate change impact on Vulnerable People

3. Warfare/ Violence

4. Large number of forcibly displaced people and refugees

How did the scope of Human Rights evolve in the 21st Century?

• From Individual Rights to Collective Rights

  • e.g. UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (2007)

Why was there a need for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples?

1. Decolonization in Asian and African Countries made it apparent there was nothing protecting those in settler colonies

2. it was a tool for indigenous people in settler colonies to get their rights

What does the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples state?

1. Individual Rights are not enough

2. Collective rights as peoples are needed (language, culture, etc.)

   1. Self-determination

   2. Collective Right to Preserve Culture

   3. Collective right to Land and Culture

Which 4 countries oppose the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples?

1. US

2. Canada

3. Australia

4. New Zealand

Who enforces International Law?

International Criminal Court (ICC)

What are the limitations of the ICC?

• only state parties (Signed and ratified) can be investigated

• investigations are limited and biased

What is the Canadian Charter of Rights?

• Introduced in 1982

• A Document of civil and political rights (Negative freedoms)

What are the Rights in the Charter?

1. Fundamental Freedoms

2. Democratic Rights

3. Mobility Rights

4. Legal Rights

5. Equality Rights

6. Linguistic Rights